Friday, February 1, 2013

Air Time: Ecology calls stage 1 burn ban called in Okanogan County


A Stage 1 burn ban will go into effect at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, in Okanogan County and will continue at least until 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, when it could be called off or extended. Air quality is expected to deteriorate through much of the weekend

The Stage 1 ban applies to the use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and to all outdoor burning. Ecology’s burn bans do not apply on tribal reservations, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction.

Smoke from outdoor burning and wood-burning devices builds up where cold air is trapped near the ground. Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into your lungs. Once there, they can cause heart and breathing problems, and even death. Children, people with asthma and respiratory illnesses, and adults older than 65 are most at risk.

Under a Stage 1 ban:
  • Use of uncertified wood-burning devices – including fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts — is prohibited unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat. Uncertified units typically were built before 1990 and lack a certification label on the back of the unit.
  • All outdoor burning — including residential, agricultural and forest burning — is prohibited.
  • Use of certified wood-burning devices and pellet stoves is allowed. Ecology recommends burning hot fires using only clean, dry wood.
  • No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood-burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up.
Burn ban violators are subject to civil penalties. You can report violators by calling Ecology’s smoke complaint hotline (1-866-211-6284).

A 2009 Ecology analysis estimates that fine particles contribute to about 1,100 deaths and about $190 million in health-care costs each year in Washington. (See below)

For burn ban updates:
  • Check local media reports.
  • Call Ecology’s daily burn decision hotline (1-800-406-5322 in Washington).
  • Check Ecology’s burn bans web page. (See below.)
  • Go online to www.waburnbans.net.
The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse.

Ecology recommends that people limit vehicle trips, combine errands or use public transportation to reduce air pollution.

You can track air quality in your area by using the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA). This is Ecology’s tool for informing people about the health effects of air pollution, including fine particles. It uses color-coded categories to show when air quality is good, moderate or unhealthy.

For more information:

See a list of certified wood stoves and other information
Tips on getting the most heat from your firewood
Check for Ecology burn bans
Washington Air Quality Advisory
WAQA fact sheet
Ecology analysis of fine particles and health

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